Hat flanging machine



Dec. 22, 1936.

G. w. CUMING HAT FLANGING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEORGE MCuMM/e BY I a,

ATTORN EY Dec 22, 1936. G. w. CUMING 2,064,824

HAT FLANGING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GEORGE NCUM/NG ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE HAT FLANGING MACHINE Application June 6, 1935, Serial No. 25,205

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a hat flanging machine for mens hats.

The invention has for an object the construction of a machine as mentioned which is characterized by a hollow head mounted on a frame associated with a diaphragm dividing off a compartment holding hydraulic substance, and an arrangement for forcing the brim or flange of a hat indirectly against the diaphragm for properly shaping the brim.

More particularly, the invention contemplates an arrangement whereby a bottom block is adapted to hold the hat in position so that the brim is accessible, and suitable mechanism is provided for moving the bottom block so that the brim of the hat is forced indirectly against the diaphragm.

Still further the invention proposes the application of heat to the block to assist in properly shaping or pressing the brim.

A further object of this invention is a novel arrangement for controlling the hydraulic substance within the diaphragm divided off chamber so that suitable pressures may be obtained for the pressing of the brim of the hat.

Another object of this invention is the provision of mechanism by which the normal location of the diaphragm may be adjusted so as to more nearly conform with different shapes and sizes of brims of difierent hats.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings,and to the appended '40 claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hat flanging '45 machine constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the machine in a position in which the bottom block has been moved closer to the diaphragm.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of Fig. 1

"5.0 taken on the line 3-3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view of the carriage per se looking in the direction of the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1-! of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 5 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

The hat flanging machine, according to this invention, comprises a frame In upon which a carriage II is slidably supported by reason of having a plurality of bushings ll engaging on vertical posts Ill of the frame. A hollow head I2 is mounted upon the top of the frame and is associated with a diaphragm l3 mounted over a portion thereof, dividing off a chamber or com- 15 partment in which there is hydraulic substance [4. A means is provided for raising the carriage so that a bottom block l5, which is mounted on the carriage, is forced towards the diaphragm [3.

The block I5 is of substantially oval annular shape so as to receive the crown of a hat, for example the hat IS, in such fashion that the brim or flange I6 thereof rests upon the upper face of the block. This face of the block is shaped to the desired form of the finished flange. The block is removable and replaceable when desired.

It is mounted upon a bed I! and releasably held in proper position by several pegs I8 projecting from the bed and engaging in apertures in the 30 bottom of the face of the block. The bed I! is provided with several rollers 19 engaging tracks 20 formed on the carriage II. The rollers I!) are mounted on lugs 2| having flange portions 2| to engage the sides of the tracks 20 to prevent 35 accidental displacement of the bed. The front of the bed is equipped with a handle 22 by which it may be manually moved forwards and rearwards.

The bed I! is adapted to be heated to supply the necessary heat for pressing or forming the flange of the hat. It is equipped with electrical heating means, steam heating means, and gas heating means. More particularly, a cable 25 from some source of power (not shown on the drawings) connects with a switch 26 mounted on the carriage H, from which the cable 25 continues to an electric heater 2! encircling the lower portion of the bed IT. The gas heater comprises an annular gas burner 28 encircling the bottom portion of the bed and arranged immediately above the electric heater 21. This burner 28 connects with a gas supply pipe 28' adapted to be connected with a supply of gas. The steam heater comprises a pipe 29 connected with an annular passage 35 formed in the block I! through which the steam may enter therein. Another pipe 3| is adapted for the passage of the steam from the passage 30 after it has given up some of its heat.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the carriage comprises several links 32 pivotally connected with other links 33 fixed on a transverse shaft 34 adapted to be turned by a large handle 35. Thearrangement issuch that when thehandle 35 is in the vertical position, as shown in Fig.

1, the links 32 and 33 are in their lowered position 7 so that the carriage is in the lowered position. When the handle 35 is moved downwards, as shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 34 is turned so that the links 33 are straightened out,which moves the links 32 upwards into a straightened out position, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, so as to move the carriage upwards. The weight of the carriage is counter-balanced by several cables 36 connected with the carriage and extending over wheels 31 mounted on the frame. The cables 36 are connected with a counterweight 38.

The head M is substantially of semi-spherical form. It is provided with a flange [2 The diaphragm l3 fits within the hollow of the head l2 and has its edges clamped between the flange [2 and an annular member 39. The center of the diaphragm is held or supported by a bolt 40 engaging through a pair of plates 4| and 42 located on opposite sides of the material of the diaphragm. The hollow head l2 has its central top'area formed with a depressed flat portion I2 forming a base or support against which the plate 42 engages. The purpose of supporting the diaphragm [3 at its center is to substantially support it in a concave position substantially conforming with the shape desired for the flange of the hat. A top block 43 is detachably supported on the bottom plate i2 by several studs 44 and is adapted to engage into the open end of the crown of the hat to properly align the hat during the forming operation.

An annular element 45' of a shape corresponding with the contour of the block I5 is adapted to engage on the top of the flange I6 of the hat to assist in shaping the flange during the operation of the machine, as hereinafter further described. A pressure gauge' 46 is connected with the compartment for the hydraulic substance l4 and is controlled by a valve 41. A vertical pipe 48 connects with the hydraulic substance compartment and has a valve 49 interposed therein, and terminates in the top in a funnel 50. Water may be supplied to the hydraulic substance chamber through the funnel 50, or the valve 49 may be opened to release some of the water from the hydraulic substance compartment. The purpose of this is that a desired pressure may easily be obtained for the forming of the hat. When the machine is in the forming position, the valve 49 may be slightly opened to release some pressure if the pressure is too great, or some liquid may be allowed to flow into the chamber if the pressure is too small by slightly moving the carriage downwards.

The operation of the device is as follows:-

The carriage H may be drawn outwards from its position, shown in Fig. 1, and a hat placed on the block I5, as shown in Fig. 5. The annular element 45 is then placed upon the flange of the block. The carriage H is moved inwards to the position shown in Fig. 1. The handle 35 is moved downwards to raise the carriage to force the annular element 45 against the diaphragm 13.

Preferably, the annular element 45 should be of flexible material so as to be self-conforming under pressure to the conformity of the block l5. The block I5 is supplied with suitable heat for the pressing operation from the bed ll, which receives the heat from one of the heaters, as desired. A cock 52 is arranged upon the head l2 and connects with a lowermost point of the hydraulic substance compartment so that the hydraulic substance may be drained when desired.

The block l5 may readily be removed and replaced with the other blocks for different types or sizes of hats. Similarly, the top block 43 may be replaced when desired. For different types, sizes, and qualities of hats it is desirable to have diiferent pressing pressures which may easily be obtained by the proper adjustment of the valve 49 during the inoperative or partially operative position of the carriage, that is, when it is in the raised position with the block l5 engaging the diaphragm l3.

In Fig. 8 another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in which an arrangement is provided for adjusting the normal position of- Water-tight packing material 58 is interposed between the cylindrical members 55 and 51 to prevent the escape of hydraulic substance. The cylindrical member 5'! has a bottom flange which is connected in a water-tight fashion to the top plate 42. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the prior form and corresponding parts may be recognized by the same reference numerals. The feature of the construction resides in the fact that the cylindrical member 55 may be turned to raise or lower the central support of the diaphragm l3. The advantage of this construction is that the diaphragm may be adjusted so that its norm-a1 curvature is slightly changed to better conform with the curvature of the block I5 and prevent repeated flexing of the diaphragm when the machine is in operation and the block I5 is engaged against the diaphragm and removed therefrom.

Preferably, the diaphragm l3 should be constructed of rubber of sufficient thickness to maintain the convexed position shown in Fig. 5, or it may be constructed of suitable leather.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A hat fianging machine for mens hats comprising a frame, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, a bottom block mounted on said carriage, a hollow head mounted on said frame, a diaphragm mounted on said hollow head and dividing ofi a compartment for'hydraulic substance, means for raising said carriage so that the bottom block engages against said diaphragm, the central portion of said diaphragm being supported upon the central portion of the hollow head, the hollow head having its central portion depressed, a pair of plates being disposed on opposite sides of the central portion of the diaphragm, a bolt for connecting the plates with said depressed portion and means engaging the crown of the hat for aligning said hat mounted on one of said plates.

2. A hat flanging machine for mens hats comprising a frame, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, a bottom block mounted on said carriage, a hollow head mounted on said frame, a diaphragm mounted on said hollow head and dividing off a compartment for hydraulic substance, means for raising said carriage so that the bottom block engages against said diaphragm, the central portion of said diaphragm being supported upon the central portion of the hollow head, the hollow head having its central portion depressed, a pair of plates being disposed on opposite sides of the central portion of the diaphragm, and a bolt for connecting the plates with said depressed portion, and a top block removably mounted on said bottom plate.

3. A hat flanging machine for mens hats comprising a frame, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, a bottom block mounted on said carriage, a hollow head mounted on said frame, a diaphragm mounted on said hollow head and dividing off a compartment for hydraulic substance, means for raising said carriage so that the bottom block engages against said diaphragm, the central portion of said diaphragm being supported upon the central portion of the hollow head, the hollow head having its central portion depressed, a pair of plates being disposed on opposite sides of the central portion of the diaphragm, and a bolt for connecting the plates with said depressed portion, and means for adjusting the said central portion of the diaphragm.

4. A hat flanging machine for mens hats comprising a frame, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, a bottom block on said carriage, a hollow head mounted on said frame, a diaphragm mounted on said hollow head and dividing off a compartment for hydraulic substance, means for raising said carriage so that the bottom block engages against said diaphragm, the central portion of said diaphragm being supported upon the central portion of the hollow head, the hollow head having its central portion depressed, a pair of plates being disposed on opposite sides of the central portion of the diaphragm, and a bolt for connecting the plates with said depressed portion, and means for adjusting the said central support of the diaphragm, comprising a cylindrical member adjustably mounted on said hollow head and connected with a water-tight joint rotatively with another cylindrical member mounted on said top plate.

GEORGE W. CUMING. 

